Jax stepped through the door first, Zara shooting me a confused glance as I hung back. He returned a few moments later, a subtle nod from him confirming it was safe. I followed him into the waiting room, a luxurious space that mirrored the opulence of the foyer we had just passed through, though the presence of armed security and staff here made the atmosphere feel heavier.

I straightened my posture, feeling their eyes on me, and walked toward the sleek seating arrangement near the centre of the room. The doctor—who could have easily passed for a model in one of those pristine medtech ads—stood waiting for me by the holo-table. Her platinum hair was twisted up in an intricate style, and her gaze was sharp and calculating like she could read everything in my file just by looking at me.

"Baron Draven," she said smoothly, extending a hand, "I'm Doctor Veshra. It's an honour to meet you."

I gave her a short nod, not bothering with pleasantries, as I shook her hand. "Let's just get this over with."

She didn’t seem fazed by my tone. Most likely due to her having a medical Nexus installed. "Of course. We’ve received updated requirements from the emperor’s office regarding your NeuroCore Nexus. Given your new position, your previous request for the standard military model has been... superseded."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and I felt my stomach twist. All the training and the years I’d put in to ensure I’d qualify for that model are gone in an instant. My expression must have shown more than I intended because Veshra’s gaze softened.

"It’s not what I wanted," I muttered, clenching my jaw. "I’ve trained for this, earned it. And now I’m supposed to just... accept whatever they think suits a baron?"

She gave a sympathetic smile, though it felt more like she was placating me. "I understand the frustration, but this isn’t a downgrade. Your options are far more advanced than the standard issue."

She tapped the holo-table, and a series of projections sprang to life, showing various Nexus models, each one with a list of capabilities, enhancements, and features. "These," she gestured, "are the governing-class Nexuses available to you."

I scanned the floating displays. Each Nexus seemed custom-designed for nobility—enhanced cognitive processing, political strategy modules, and negotiation matrices. None of it was what I wanted. I crossed my arms, frowning as I flipped through them.

“Is there any chance I can still get the military model?” My voice sounded strained, even to my own ears. I already knew the answer. I just needed to hear it...

Veshra's gaze dropped slightly, her voice softening. "I’m afraid not. But..." she paused, her fingers hovering over the interface before pulling up another projection. "We can create a custom Nexus for you based on the features you select from the available models. You’ll have full control over the design."

I let out a frustrated sigh, but the idea of customizing it caught my interest. "You’re saying I can pick and match? Take pieces from these and get something close to the military one?"

Her lips curled slightly into a knowing smile. "Yes. You’ll still have to comply with the nobility restrictions, but there’s flexibility. You’ll retain most of the combat functionality while integrating the required administrative modules."

I stared at the models again. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it was something I could work with. Maybe. "Alright," I said, finally. "Let’s see what we can put together."

Veshra nodded, tapping more commands into the holo-table, her long fingers lingering for a moment. The screen illuminated with rows of options, each one representing a different Nexus configuration, tailored for the elite.

“These are the primary options approved by the Emperor’s staff for planetary governance,” she said, her voice clinical but with an underlying softness. "Each model offers a distinct blend of enhancements—strength, intellect, sensory augmentation—everything needed to rule efficiently."

I scanned through them, my eyes flicking from one specification to the next. Most of it was designed for nobles who wanted to spend more time on luxury than leadership. One focused on communication and diplomacy upgrades, another on longevity and resilience. But I wasn’t interested in hosting endless banquets or sitting on a throne until I was two hundred years old. I needed power, the kind you could feel in your bones.

“Let’s start with this one.” I tapped on the ‘Strength and Agility Enhancer’. It promised a 30% increase in muscle density and heightened reflexes. I needed speed and power, the kind that would help me if, or rather when, Drakara became a war zone.

The doctor glanced at my selection and nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line of approval. “The ‘Strength and Agility Enhancer’ is a popular choice among governors who expect more… direct challenges to their authority.”

I didn’t need her to tell me that.

“I’ll take the ‘Cognitive Boost’ too,” I added, selecting the upgrade. It claimed to enhance processing speed and memory retention by 20%, which would help when dealing with political plots and logistical nightmares.

The doctor smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Good. Increased neural capacity will aid in making critical decisions under pressure, especially during planetary crises.”

I wasn’t done. I scrolled further down the list and added the ‘Executive Function Enhancer’. It offered boosts in reasoning, strategy formulation, and problem-solving. Ruling wasn’t just about muscle, after all.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“What about this one?” I asked, selecting the ‘Diplomatic Aptitude Enhancer’. It improved emotional regulation and persuasive communication. I didn’t need the charm of a diplomat, but something that kept me calm and controlled during high-stakes negotiations could be useful.

“An excellent choice, especially for someone in your position,” the doctor said. “Governors are expected to manage their people and emotions with poise.”

I looked at the list again, eyeing a few other upgrades—there were options for sensory enhancements, long-range visual acuity, and even upgrades that aided in environmental adaptation. But I needed to stick to the essentials. Drakara wasn’t a place for indulgence.

“I think that’s it,” I said, leaning back. I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be here. I still would have preferred the standard military Nexus, but at least this setup would give me what I needed.

The doctor gave an approving nod. “A well-rounded selection. We’ll be able to fuse those elements into a single custom Nexus for you. You’ll retain all the base abilities of planetary governance, but your enhancements will ensure you maintain both physical and mental superiority.”

I exhaled. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Of course. Follow me.” The doctor stood, smoothing out her pristine white coat, and led the way through a side door. I glanced back at Zara and Jax. Zara gave me a quick, lopsided grin. Jax folded his arms, his expression unreadable.

“You two can wait in the adjacent room,” the doctor said as we passed through the hallway. “This procedure requires some time, but you’ll be notified once it’s completed.”

Zara shrugged. “No rush, mate. Just don’t come out with any extra arms or anything.”

“Not planning on it,” I muttered, following the doctor into the sterile white room off to the side.

***

Zara plonked into the seat beside where Jax had sat down. “How long does this normally take?” she asked, glancing toward the door Alex had just disappeared through.

Jax leaned back, arms crossed. "Depends. Some of these upgrades are quick. Others..." He tilted his head, eyeing her. "It can take hours. How long it takes isn’t the worst part. He has to be completely awake whilst they do this."

Zara shifted in her seat, her fingers drumming against the armrest. “Hours? Seriously? And all while he’s wide awake?”

Jax nodded. “It's a different kind of pain, I’m told. Takes a different kind of pain tolerance. The Nexus fuses with the nervous system. Everything in him will fight it at first.”

She frowned, her eyes darting to the closed door. "And I suppose you've seen it done before?"

"Yes. Too many times," Jax replied, his tone calm but weighted. "It’s brutal, but Alex is tough. He can handle it."

Zara sighed, then leaned forward, clasping her hands. “So, what exactly does being his personal pilot mean? Like, what am I supposed to do? Just shuttle him from planet to planet?”

Jax shook his head as he chuckled. "You’re not just shuttling him. You’ll be his right hand in warzones, tight extractions, keeping him alive when things go south. You need to anticipate his moves, read him better than anyone.”

“No pressure, then," Zara muttered. “Sounds like more than just flying. I'm only a pilot. Not even a very good one at that.”

“Alex wouldn’t have chosen you if he didn’t think you could do it,” Jax reassured her. “He’s got a good eye for people, even if he doesn’t show it.”

Before Zara could respond, a sudden, gut-wrenching scream pierced the air, echoing from the direction Alex had gone. Zara shot up, her heart racing. “What the hell was that?!”

Jax was on his feet in an instant, but his hand landed firmly on Zara’s shoulder, pushing her back down. “It’s part of the process.”

“Part of the… Are you hearing him?!” She tried to shrug off his grip, but Jax held firm. Zara’s stomach twisted at the sound of his screams, her body instinctively leaning forward like she could somehow help.

“I know it sounds bad," he said, his voice steady, "but this is how it works. The Nexus has to merge with him while he’s awake. It’s... invasive.”

Zara’s breath hitched as another agonized scream cut through the air, but she forced herself to stay seated. “How can they make someone go through this?”

“There’s no other way," Jax replied, his gaze fixed on the door. "The Nexus has to bond with every nerve, every muscle, and it won’t work if he’s sedated. This is the price for what he’s getting. Alex knew the risks. He has been training for this day. It has always been his dream to go to the academy.”

Zara clenched her fists, staring hard at the floor. "I mean, I haven’t known him that long, but... bloody hell. No one deserves this. Not Alex. Not anyone."

Jax sighed. “Maybe. But he’ll need it if he’s gonna survive whatever’s coming for him.”

Zara stayed quiet, her chest tight as Alex’s muffled screams cut through the silence again. They twisted her insides like a knife, and her usual impulse to crack a joke to lighten the tension felt wrong. Useless. What was she supposed to say? ‘Hey, chin up, mate. Only a few more hours of torture to go!’ Yeah, no.

She bit her lip, her fingers fidgeting against the armrest. What the hell was she doing here? She wasn’t built for this kind of thing. A pilot—sure. A bit of banter—easy. But this? This was something else. It wasn’t just about flying Alex around like some glorified taxi driver. She was supposed to be his backup, his lifeline when things went sideways.

But… why her? What did Alex see in her that she didn’t?

‘What if I screw this up? What if I can’t keep him safe?’

The thought hit her like a punch to the gut, guilt creeping in fast. Zara had spent most of her life avoiding situations like this. Messy, life-or-death, serious stuff. She wasn’t exactly leadership material. Hell, she wasn’t even a great pilot. Decent, sure, but not great. And now she was supposed to be the one keeping Alex alive?

Another scream tore through the air, and she flinched. Her heartbeat picked up, thudding in her chest as she forced herself to stay seated, knuckles white from gripping the chair.

"How can they make someone go through this?" she muttered, voice quieter than usual. Her usual spark was dulled by the sheer wrongness of it all.

Jax didn’t look at her, his eyes fixed on the door. "It’s just how it’s done. The Nexus has to merge with every nerve and every muscle. This is the price for what he’s getting."

The price. Yeah, she got that. But still, the weight of it all sat heavily on her chest. This wasn’t what Alex had signed up for. She didn’t care if he knew the risks; hearing him scream like that wasn’t something anyone could prepare for.

Her mind was in turmoil. ‘And if I fail him?’

The doubt clawed at her, but then Jax’s words echoed in the back of her mind. "Alex wouldn’t have chosen you if he didn’t think you could do it."

Zara sighed, a small smirk pulling at her lips despite the weight she felt. Alex. Silent, brooding, all about business—had actually put his faith in her? The girl who usually preferred to keep things light and stay out of serious stuff unless she had to? The thought was almost funny.

‘He trusts me... so maybe I should start trusting myself too.’ she mused before letting out a slow breath, unclenching her fists.

The truth was, she wasn’t sure she could handle this. But Alex believed she could, and for now, that had to be enough. She’d be there for him. Even if it meant putting aside her usual bravado, she wasn’t going to let him down. Not when it mattered most.

She shot a quick glance at the closed door, biting her lip. ‘Just hang in there, Alex. I’ve got your back.’

Zara leaned back, folding her arms tight across her chest. She wasn’t used to waiting—hell, she wasn’t used to feeling this. But if Alex could handle the pain, she could handle her fear.

She just hoped that he’d still be the Alex she knew when he came out of that room. Because, like it or not, they were in this together now.